Dispenser system

ABSTRACT

A dispenser system for introducing a precise amount of material to be analyzed into a container includes a sample chamber, and apparatus for storing material in the sample chamber. A data record is associated with the container and operation of the storage apparatus is controlled in response to the data record to store a precise amount of material in the chamber which is then transferred to the container for analysis.

United States Patent 1 Zindler et a1.

[ DISPENSER SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Jerrold Zindler, Cambridge;

Norman F. F. J. Rolfe, Wakefield, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory, Inc.,

Lexington, Mass.

22 Filed: July 22, 1971 21 App1.No.: 165,011

[51] Int. Cl.... 1365b 3/30, B65b 57/18, B65b 57/20, BOlj 4/02, 826d5/34 [58] Field ofSearch 141/83, 94, 98, 192; 23/230 A, 253 A, 259;83/71 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,555,284 1/1971Anderson 23/253 A 3,653,835 4/1972 Brandel .1 23/230 A 1,172,058 2/1916Scheyer 83/71 451 Mar. 12, 1974 1,241,269 9/1917 Wurts 83/71 3,187,7866/1965 Hrdina 141/94 3,232,506 2/1966 Rabinow... 83/71 X 3,589,8676/1971 Heinz 141/94 X 3,649,203 I 3/1972 Schneider.... 23/253 A2,604,249 7/1952 Gorham 141/192 X 3,508,879 4/1970 Findl 141/192 X3,648,741 3/1972 Croasdale 141/9 3,688,085 8/1972 Tetar 141/192 XPrimary ExaminerWayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmWi11is M.Ertman 5 7 ABSTRACT A dispenser system for introducing a precise amountof material to be ana1yzed into a container includes a sample chamber,and apparatus for storing material in the sample chamber. A data recordis associated with the container and operation of the storage apparatusis controlled in response to the data record to store a precise amountof material in the chamber which is then transferred to the containerfor analysis.

14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBIIAR 12 m4 SHEEI 2 [If 4 PATENTEDMR 1 2 I974 SHEET 3 0f 4 DISPENSER SYSTEM SUMMARY OF INVENTION Thisinvention relates to dispenser systems and more particularly for systemsparticularly adapted for dispensing minute quantities of materials inaccurate amounts.

It is frequently necessary to provide a precise amount of a known orunknown material for use in connection with a chemical analysis. Inphotometric analyses, for example, measurements may be made directly, bycomparison with a standard, or as a function of the rate of chemicalchange. Such techniques are frequently employed in the analysis ofprecious fluids such as blood or other body fluids. For example, achemical analysis of a sample of such a fluid for enzymes, hemoglobin,chloresterol, glucose, etc., provides useful diagnostic information.While laboratory services performing such analyses are available, theuse of such services oftenentails the delay of several days or morebefore analysis information is available. Accordingly a need exists inthis field for instrumentation that provides accurate chemical analysisdata and that can be operated by untrained personnel. Suchinstrumentation would assist laboratories in contending with theshortage of skilled personnel. As an adjunct to the performance of suchanalyses, however, it is necessary to provide a system for measuring outquantities of particular materials to be employed in the chemicalanalysis in precise amounts, and it is an object of this invention toprovide novel and improved apparatus for this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improvedapparatus and systems for the accurate dispensing of different andminute amounts of materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improveddispensing systems which are easy to operate and which a variety ofdifferent amounts may be easily selected by an untrained operator.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a dispenser systemfor introducing a precise amount of a material to be analyzed into acontainer comprising: a sample chamber, apparatus for storing materialin the chamber, a data record associated with the container, meansresponsive to the data record for controlling the material storageapparatus to store a precise amount of material in the chamber, andmeans to transfer the precise amount of material from the chamber to thecontainer for analysis.

In a particular embodiment the material storage apparatus comprises ahousing which includes a bore and chamber for holding a sample. Amovable member is mounted for reciprocation in the housing. A reversibledrive motor moves the member away from the chamber to aspirate materialinto the chamber and towards the chamber to dispense the material. Aflag member that has a series of regions of alternating opticalcharacteristics is coupled to and movable with the member. Photoelectricmeans senses the flag regions and produces output signals as a functionof the movement of the flag member. An operational amplifier is coupledbetween the photoelectric means and a counter and generates a counterstepping signal on each sensed predetermined optical value at thetransition between adjacent regions and the counter setting is comparedwith signals from the data record for controlling aspiration of thesample into the chamber. The flag member also includes upper and lowertravel limit portions and a photocell senses these travel limitportions. In response to detection of one of the travel limit portionsby the photocell, the direction of movement of the movable member isautomatically reversed. While in response to detection of a secondtravel limit portion during a dispense cycle a blower is actuated for apredetermined interval of time and then the direction of movement ofsaid member is reversed to return said member to its starting position.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is employed in photometricanalysis instrumentation for performing chemical analyses on preciousfluids such as blood to provide medically useful diagnostic information,and is designed to dispense material in quantities of 25, 50, 100, or200 microliters to an accuracy ofil percent under the control of a cardreader, with a card containing data correlated with material to bedispensed into a container for use in a photometric analysis of theresulting mixture of materials.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be seen asthe following description of a particular embodiment progresses, inconjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of a biochemical analysissystem incorporating a dispensing system in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with components removed, of dispensingapparatus employed in the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view, with parts broken away, of the dispensingapparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the dispensing apparatus shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the dispensing apparatus taken along theline 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the dispensing apparatusshowing details of the valve means included therein; 1

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of flag structure employed in the dispensingapparatus;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of logic circuitry employed in the dispensingsystem; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing details of the logic circuitryshown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT above section 18 is a cardreceiving slot of card reader unit 20. Above and to the rear of the cardreader unit 20 is a photometer section that includes a port 22 forreceiving a cuvette assembly 24 and a digital photometer output display26. Used with this instrument is the cuvette assembly 24 and a card 30that includes a data section 32, having photometer calibrating andcontrol information and dispenser control information correlated withmaterial in that cuvette assembly, and an instruction section 34.

The cuvette assembly 24 includes three sample chambers 36-1, 36-2 and36-3 of 5 milliliters volume each. Each chamber has two spaced sidewalls with parallel optical windows therein and is constructed of highquality optical material, the material employed in a preferredembodiment being a transparent TPX methyl pentane polyolefin plastic. Aport 38 in the upper wall of each chamber is sealed by a frangiblesection which may be broken away to permit introduction of material intothe corresponding sample chamber 36.

Additional details of the dispenser may be seen with reference to FIG. 2which shows components of the dispenser as exposed when the cover isremoved. The dispenser includes a support plate 40 on which is disposeda support body 42. Depending from body 42 are tubular housing members44-1, 44-2 each of which has a replaceable conical chamber member 46secured at its lower end. Disposed for reciprocating movement withineach member 44 is a shaft 48 which at its upper end has formed on it arack gear portion 50 that is engaged by pinion gear 52. Gear 52 is inturn mounted on a shaft 54 driven by reversible motor 56. Secured at thetop of each shaft 48 is a laterally extending arm 58 which carries adepending flag or index member 60. That index member is disposed in aslot defined between a front member 62 that houses two light sources anda rear member 64 that houses three light sensors. Signals produced bythe sensors as a function of movement of the flag or index member 60 areemployed to control the operation of the dispenser apparatus.

Additional details of the dispenser apparatus may be seen with referenceto FIGS. 3-7. As shown in those figures, the apparatus includes supportplate 40 and a printed circuit board 70 which carries circuit componentsfor the control of the dispenser apparatus. Board 70 is clamped tosupport plate 40 by suitable fastenings including nut 72 which engageshousing 74 of motor shaft 54. Pinion gear 52 is mounted on shaft 54 andengages rack gear 50. As best seen with reference to FIG. 5, movableshaft member 48 is a cylinder, one-eighth inch in diameter in thisembodiment. A toroidal groove 78, 0.020 inch in maximum depth and 0.125inch in length is formed in cylindrical portion 76 adjacent tip 80.

The cylindrical portion 76 is mounted within housing assembly 44 whichincludes an outer member 82 having an end portion 84 of reduced diameterwith a groove 86 in it in which an -ring 88 is secured. A bore 90 isformed in the lower portion of member 82 and a second bore 92 of largerdiameter is formed in the upper portion, the transition between the twobores being defined by shoulder 94. Member 82 has an enlarged headportion 96 in the outer surface of which is formed annular groove 98 inwhich is disposed a sealing O-ring 100 and annular manifold groove 102which has a radial passage 104 communicating therewith.

Insert member 110 is disposed within bore 92 and includes an internalgroove 112 at its lower end in which a seal member 114 is disposed, anannular recess 116 in its outer surface that extends its length, aninternal groove 118 at its upper end which receives seal ring 120, anannular manifold groove 122 and a radial passage 124 that communicateswith groove 122. The inner bore 126 of member is of the same diameter asbore 90. A retaining plate 130 is seated in shoulder 132 formed in theinterior of support member 42 and the assembly of members 82 and 110 isin turn seated on plate 130 and secured to support member 42 by clampplate 134 and bolts 136. Support member 42 has a port 128 in its rearwall in which conduit 138 is threadedly received. At the upper end ofmember 42 is a port 140 in which a bushing 142 is disposed to provide aguide for the upper end of member 48.

Additional details of the valve structure that is formed by seal member114 and recess 78 may be seen with reference to FIG. 6. Seal member 1 14includes an annular resilient core member and a split toroidal collarmember 152 of polytetrafluoroethylene which provides a resilient, lowfriction sea] surface against the cylindrical wall surface of shaft 76.In the position shown in FIG. 6, the valve members function to close thepassageway formed by bore 126 of member 110 from bore 90 of outer member82. When the shaft 76 is moved downwardly to the position shown in FIG.5, the valve is opened. In this position, air under pressure supplied bya blower connected to conduit 138 is applied through manifold groove102, radial passage 104, manifold groove 120 and passage 122 to bore 120for flow down past recess 78 through bore 90 to the conical chamber 46secured by O-ring 88 on the lower end of member 82 to increase thepressure in that chamber to supplement the action of plunger 76 indischarging material through the port at the tip of the conical chamber46.

The arm member 58 that is secured at the upper end of plunger member 48(as best seen in FIG. 3) includes a head portion 188 that is disposedover the end of member 48 and is secured with set screw 160. Itslaterally extending arm portion 162 has index member 60 secured to it bybolt 164. Additional details of index member 60 may be seen withreference to FIG. 7. Each index member includes a glass substrate thatis 2.27 inches in length and 0.75 inch in width. An opaque flag marking172 is formed on substrate 174. The lefthand section of flag marking 172includes a lower travel limit reference 174 and an upper travel limitreference 176. The righthand section of the flag marking 172 includes adatum or reference mark 178 and four parallel signal marks 180-1 180-4.Mark 180-1 is spaced 0.137 inch from datum mark 178; mark 180-2 isspaced 0.265 inch; mark 180-3 is spaced 0.521 inch; and mark 180-4 isspaced 1.032 inch from the datum mark 178 corresponding to 25, 50, I00,and 200 microliters, respectively.

Each index member 60 extends downwardly from support arm 162 and passesthrough the guide passage 182 between light source housing member 62 andsensor housing member 64. As will be seen with reference to FIG. 3,light source 184-1 is aligned with sensor 186-1 and arranged so that thelefthand section of the flag marking 172 is interposed between thatsource 184-1 and sensor 186-1. The second source 184-2 is aligned withthe right vertical edge of the flag marking so that the righthandportion of the flag marking is interposed between source 184-2 andsensor 186-2 while sensor 186-3 is disposed for uninterrupted viewing ofsource 184-2 and functions as a reference sensor. A lamp 188 mounted onsupport 70 is visible through aperture 190 (FIG. 1) in the cover housingof the dispenser apparatus.

A better understanding of the operation of the dispenser system may behad with reference to FIG. 8. That control logic responds to theoperation of switch 16, the operation of which controls three flipflops, a flag flip flop 200, a direction control flip flop 202 and amotor power control flip flop 204. Switch 16 is a two position switchwhich, when moved to engage upper contact 206, generates an aspiratesignal (providing that the system is not in aspirate mode as indicatedby a conditioning signal on line 207 of AND circuit 208) that clears theflag flip flop 202, sets the motor direction flip flop 202 and sets themotor power flip flop 204 (this setting of flip flops 200, 202 and 204establishes the aspirate mode). When switch 16 is moved to engage lowercontact 210, a dispense signal clears flip flops 200 and 202 and setsflip flop 204 establishing system dispense mode. The outputs of flipflops 202 and 204 control the energization of dispense winding 212 ofmotor 56 and aspirate winding 214 of that motor. Blower motor 216 isenergized in response to the output of one shot circuit 218 (through ORcircuit 217 which has a second input over line 219 from the otherdispenser) which in turn is triggered by a lower travel limit signalfrom logic 220 which responds to signals from photocell 186-1, appliedover line 222. The logic also includes a counter 224 which is stepped bysignals from sensing photocells' 186-2 and 186-3 over line 226 when thesystem is in aspirate mode as indicated by conditioned AND circuit 228;and a compare circuit 230 which compares the output of counter 224 withsignals from card reader- 20 over line 232. The output of comparecircuit 230 over line 234 clears flip flop 204 via OR circuit 236.

Placing switch 16 in the aspirate position completes a circuit tocontact 206 and through OR circuit240 clears flip flop 200 through ORcircuit 242 sets flip flop 202 and through OR circuit 244 sets flip flop204. The resulting three outputs cause AND circuit 246 to produce anoutput that is applied to one shot 248 and that circuit in turn producesan output of 100 milliseconds duration over line 250 to reset counter224. The set flip flop 202 also applies conditioning level to ANDcircuit 228 and through inverter 252 removes a conditioning level fromAND circuit 208. The output of flip flop 204 conditions AND circuit 254and as one shot 218 is not producing an output, inverter 256 provides asecond conditioning to AND circuit 254 and the resulting output causesAND circuit 260 (conditioned by the output of inverter 258) to energizethe aspirate winding 214 of motor 56. The setting of motor flip flop 204also energizes lamp 188. The energization winding 214 of motor 56 startsraising shaft 48 from the datum reference point (indicated by the edge178 disposed between source 184-2 and sensor 186-2), and this upwardmovement of shaft 48 draws material from a supply through the port atthe end of the sample tip 46 into the sample chamber 46. The indexmember 60 moves with the aspirating member 48 and that movement issensed by the light source-photocell combination. Each transition fromlight to dark produces a pulse on line 226 which is passed by ANDcircuit 228 to step counter 224. Digital signals from card reader 20 areapplied over lines 232 to compare circuit 230 and when the setting ofcounter 224 is the same as the card reader digital signals on lines 232,the compare circuit 230 produces an output over line 234 to clear flipflop 204 and de-energize winding 214 and lamp 188. Thus, drive motor 56is stopped and a precise amount of material as determined by the signalsfrom card reader 20 is stored in the chamber defined by the sample tip46.

The supply of material is then removed from beneath tip 46, and afterits frangible port 38 has been opened, the appropriate chamber 36 of thecuvette 24 to be filled is placed under the dispenser. The controlswitch 16 is then moved to dispense position completing electricalcircuit to contact 210 which is passed through OR circuit 240 to clearflip flop 200 through OR circuit 262 to clear flip flop 202 and throughOR circuit 244 to set flip flop 204. The resulting output signals areap-.

plied to condition AND circuit 264 and its output in turn energizesdispense winding 212 so that motor 56 drives shaft 48 in the dispensedirection. Signals on line 226 are blocked from application to counter224 by the removal of conditioning signal from AND circuit 228 upon theclearing of flip flop 202.

When the lower travel limit (edge 174) is reached, the signals fromsensor 186-1 on line 222 and from sensors 186-2 and 186-3 on line 226causes logic 220 to generate an output on line 270 which sets flip flops200, 202 and 204. The signal on line 270 also triggers one shot 218 togenerate an output of two seconds duration to energize blower motor 216and apply air pressure to conduit 138. At this time, shaft 48 is in theposition shown in FIG. 5, the valve defined by groove 78 and seal member114 being opened and positive pressure is applied through the spacebetween bore and shaft 48 to chamber 46 to dispense any materialremaining in that sample tip. The output of one shot circuit 116 alsoremoved conditioning level from AND circuit 254 via inverter 256 andthus removes the conditioning signal applied to AND circuits 260 and 264so that the shaft member 48 remains in this position while blower 216 isoperating. However, the motor control circuitry is conditioned so thaton termination of the output from one shot circuit 218, winding 214 isenergized to move shaft member 48 upward. As the flip flop 200 is set,conditioning AND circuit 272, the first transition signal on line 226 ispassed by the conditioned AND circuit 272 to clear flip flop 204 andstop motor 56 with datum reference 178 aligned with the lightsource-photocell sensor. Thus the dispenser-has been reset to its datumor initial starting point from which the next aspirate sequence will beinitiated.

If for any reason, the upper travel limit 176 should be sensed, logic220 generates a signal on line 274 to initiate a dispense sequenceautomatically and discharge material from sample tip 46.

Further details of the control logic may be seen with reference to FIG.9, the principal components in that circuitry being designated with thesame reference numerals as the corresponding components shown in FIG. 8.A synchronizing circuit controls the application of power to the motorwindings 212, 214 and 216. A square wave signal at line frequency isapplied at terminal 300 wherever a record card 30 is properly located inthe card reader 20. With the card in, switch 16 and lines 302 and 304are normally at +5 volts but are driven to ground at each zero crossing.Thus, when switch 16 is closed to terminal 206, an aspirate signal isapplied over line 306 to clear flip flop 200 and set flip flops 202 and204 (provided flip flop 200 is cleared (line 308), flip flop 202 iscleared (line 310), flip flop 204 is cleared (line 312) as indicated bylogic circuit 314). This setting of these three flip flops is sensed bylogic circuit 246 and a microsecond reset pulse is applied to counter224 by one shot 248. Also, the outputs of flip flops 202 and 204 areapplied through the logic to energize triac 315 that controls theaspirate winding 214. The motor 56 commences rotation to move the flagfrom datum reference 178.

Sensing photocell 186-2 and reference photocell 186-3 are connected toterminal 316 and their output is applied to pin 3 of operationalamplifier 318. The amplifier has feedback via resistor 320 from pin 7 topin 2. As the sensing photocell senses a decreasing amount of lightproduced by mark 180-1, the voltage on pin 3 decreases and when pin 3goes negative with respect to ground, the output (pin 7) switches and apositive volt transition is applied on line 226 and triggers AND circuit228 (conditioned by the output of the set flip flop 202) to apply astepping pulse to counter 224. Pin 2 is at 025 volt in this state andpin 7 is switched when the voltage on pin 3 rises above 0.25 volt. Thiscircuit thus provides waveform shaping with positive feedback duetoresistor 320 so that the circuit switches at the same resistive valueon the transition between the light value and the dark value sensed bycell 186-2. When the counter output is the same as the signals appliedat terminals 232-1 and 232-2 from the card reader 20, compare logic 230produces an output over line 234 to clear flip flop 202, de-energizingthe aspirator winding 214 and also the indicator lamp 188. In thiscondition, the quantity specified by the card in the card reader in thisembodiment 25, 50, 100 or 200 micrometers has been aspirated into sampletip 46 for subsequent dispensing. Logic 314 provides an interlock toprevent an erroneous aspiration operation.

To dispense, switch 16 is placed in contact with terminal 210. When thesynchronizing circuit input is at ground, an enabling signal is appliedon line 330 to clear flip flop 200 and 202 and set flip flop 204. Theset flip flop 204 energizes triac 332 to energize lamp 188 and via thecontrol logic energizes triac 334 to energize the dispense winding 212of motor 56. The plunger 48 is driven downwardly until the lower travellimit 174 is sensed, the counter 224 not being stepped as theconditioning signal is removed from AND logic 228 by the cleared flipflop 202. The output of photocell 186-1 is applied to terminal 340 andamplified by transitors 342, 344. As the sensing photocell 186-2 isblocked from light a negative signal is on pin 7 of the operationalamplifier 318 and a conditioning level is applied to AND circuit 346 toset flip flop 348 and produce an output on line 350 which sets flipflops 200, 202 and 204. When terminal 300 is at ground, flip flop 348 iscleared and the resulting transition on line 340 is coupled by capacitor352 to one shot circuit 218. Pin 2 of operational amplifier 360 isclamped at +0.6 volts and capacitor 362 has a charge of +4.4 volts onit. The lower travel limit signal coupled by capacitor 352 applies a5-volt negative spike to pin 2 and pin 3 goes from +100 millivolts toground at the zero crossing switching the output (pin 7) from ground to+5 volts which triggers triac 364 to energize blower motor 216 butinhibits energization of aspirate winding 214. This output level on line366 is of 2 seconds duration as controlled by time constant of capacitor362 and resistor 368. The operational amplifier 360 is switched at thenext zero crossing to turn off the blower motor 216 and to energize theaspirate winding 214 under the control of flip flops 202 and 204.Counter 224 is not reset as the flip flop 200 is set at this time. Whenthe operational amplifier 318 senses the datum reference 178 (at thelight to dark transition), an output is applied to conditioned ANDcircuit 272 and the resulting output clears flip flop 204 and turns offthe motor 56.

lffor some reason the upper travel limit 176 should be reached, ANDcircuit 370 will have an output which automatically sets the flip flops200, 202 and 204 to dispense mode condition and the system isautomatically recycled to discharge material from the sample chamber 46and reset the dispenser for plunger 48 to the datum 178. v

In a specific example of use of this dispenser system in a biochemicalanalysis for serum glucose, all three cuvette chambers 36 initiallycontain 4 milliliters of liquid reagent (6 percent orthotoluidiene inglacial acetic acid) when it is received by the user together with acorresponding (glucose) data card 30. With the data card positioned incard reader 20, the card reader has an output over lines 252 to comparecircuit 212. A glucose serum standard (containing a precisely determined200 milligrams per milliliters and coordinated with the glucose datacard 30) is placed beneath the sample tip 46-1 and the control 16-1 ismoved to the aspirate position so that 100 microliters (mark -3) of thestandard is placed in the sample chamber 46-1. The same amount (100microliters) of a sample of the serum to be analyzed is similarly placedin the chamber of dispenser 14-2 through operation of control 16-2. Thecuvette 24 is then positioned so that chambers 36-2 and 36-3 are alignedwith dispensing chambers 46-1 and 46-2, respectively, and then bothcontrols 16-1 and 16-2 are moved to dispense position to discharge thesamples into chambers 36-2 and 36-3. Nothing is added to chamber 36-1.After the chambers have been rescaled and the contents mixed byinversion, the cuvette assembly 24 is placed in a unit of the incubator18 and incubated at 100C for 20 minutes. When the incubation period iscomplete, the cuvette 24 is placed in the photometric recess 22, thephotometer being set in accordance with data on the associated glucosedata card 30, and a photometric analysis of the materials in the threechambers 36 is made. The output digital value displayed at display 26 isdirectly proportional to the concentration of glucose in the sampleserum in units of milligrams per 100 milliliters.

Thus, the invention provides convenient and versatile system foraccurately dispensing material. It is particularly useful in conjunctionwith the performance of analyses of blood and other body fluids. Thesystem is easily operated by untrained personnel and enables analyticalinformation to be made available, quickly, accurately and inexpensively.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, various modifications thereof will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and

therefore it is not intended that the invention be limited' to thedisclosed embodiment or to details thereof and departures may be madetherefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser system for introducing a precise amount of a material tobe analyzed into a container comprising: 2

a sample chamber, said sample chamber having a port through whichmaterial may be introduced into said chamber,

apparatus for storing material in said chamber comprising a housingconnected to said sample chamber, a movable member coupled to saidhousing, means to move said member relative to said chamber from a firstposition to a second position to introduce material into said chamberthrough said port, means for generating a series of quantity signals asa function of the movement of said member,

a data record associated with said container,

means responsive to said data record and said quantity signals forcontrolling movement of said member from said first position to saidsecond position to store a precise amount of material in said chamber, Y

and means to transfer said precise amount of material from said chamberto said container for analysis.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said quantity signalgenerating means includes a flag member coupled to and movable with saidmovable member, and

means for sensing said flag member and producing output signals as afunction of the movement of said flag member,

and said member movement control means includes means for comparing saidoutput signals with said data record for controlling movement of saidmovable member from said first position to said second position.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said flag member includesregions of different optical characteristics and said flag membersensing means includes photoelectric means for sensing said regions andproducing said output signals as a function thereof.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said flag member includes atransparent substrate and said regions are defined by opaque material onsaid substrate.

5. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said photoelectric meansincludes a light source, a sensing photocell and a cooperating referencephotocell, said regions of different optical characteristics beinginterposed between said light source and said sensing photocell and saidreference photocell being disposed for uninterrupted viewing of saidlight source.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said member movement controlmeans includes a counter responsive to said quantity signals, and,compare circuitry responsive to said counter and said data record forstopping movement of said movable member upon detection of apredetermined relation between data on said record and said counter.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said member is movable fromsaid second position beyond said first position to dispense materialfrom said chamber, and further including travel limit structure forgenerating a limit signal when said member has moved a predetermineddistance beyond said first position, and means responsive to said limitsignal to reverse the direction of movement of said member to returnsaid member to said first position.

8. A dispenser system for introducing a precise amount of a material tobe analyzed into a container comprising:

a sample chamber, said sample chamber having a port through whichmaterial may be introduced into said chamber,

apparatus for storing material in said chamber comprising a housingconnected to said sample chamber, a movable member coupled to saidhousing, a drive to move said movable member relative to said chamberfrom a first position to a second position to introduce material intosaid chamber through said port, a flag member having a series of regionsof alternating optical characteristics, photoelectric means for sensingsaid regions, means to produce relative movement of said flag member andsaid photoelectric means as a function of movement of said movablemember, a counter, means coupled between said photoelectric means andsaid counter for generating a counter stepping signal on each sensedpredetermined optical value at the transition between adjacent ones ofsaid regions, a data record reader for generating data signals as afunction of data on a data record sensed by said data record reader,compare circuitry responsive to said counter and data signals generatedby said data record reader for stopping movement of said member upondetection of a predetermined relation between said data signals and saidcounter to store a precise amount of material in said chamber, and meansto transfer said precise amount of material from said chamber to saidcontainer for analysis.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said flag member includes atransparent substrate, said regions are defined by opaque material onsaid substrate and said photoelectric means includes a light source, asensing photocell and a cooperating reference photocell, said opaquematerial being interposed between said light source and said sensingphotocell and said reference photocell being disposed for uninterruptedviewing of said light source.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said drive is reversible,and further including actuator means to control said drive, and inhibitmeans for disabling said actuator means when said movable member ismoving from said first position toward a second'position.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said drive is an electricmotor and further including synchronizing control coupled to saidactuator means to energize electric motor in synchronism with the zerocrossings of the alternating current power for said motor.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said housing has a bore init and said movable member is mounted in said bore for reciprocatingmovement.

13. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said counter is responsiveto said signals from said sensing and reference photocells, said flagmember further includes upper and lower travel limit portions andfurther including a limit sensor for sensing said travel limit portions,and means responsive to detection of one of said travel limit portionsby said limit sensor to automatically change the direction of movementof said movable member.

14. The systemas claimed in claim 13 wherein said material transfermeans includes a blower, means to connect said blower to said chamber,and means responsive to detection by said limit sensor of a secondtravel limit portion to actuate said blower for a perdetermined intervalof time and then to reverse the direction of movement of said movablemember to return said movable member to said first position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,796,239 Dated March 12, 197

Inventor) Jerrold Zindler' and Norman F.F.J. Rolfe It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 16, change the dependency of claim 13 from claim 9 toclaim 8;

line 59, "perde-" should be --prede--.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of July 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

COY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN MC Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer USCOMM'DC 60376-P69 FORM P0-105O (10-69) u.s. sovzannzn-rrnm'nuo omc! no o-ses-au,

1. A dispenser system for introducing a precise amount of a material tobe analyzed into a container comprising: a sample chamber, said samplechamber having a port through which material may be introduced into saidchamber, apparatus for storing material in said chamber comprising ahousing connected to said sample chamber, a movable member coupled tosaid housing, means to move said member relative to said chamber from afirst position to a second position to introduce material into saidchamber through said port, means for generating a series of quantitysignals as a function of the movement of said member, a data recordassociated with said container, means responsive to said data record andsaid quantity signals for controlling movement of said member from saidfirst position to said second position to store a precise amount ofmaterial in said chamber, and means to transfer said precise amount ofmaterial from said chamber to said container for analysis.
 2. The systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein said quantity signal generating meansincludes a flag member coupled to and movable with said movable member,and means for sensing said flag member and producing output signals as afunction of the movement of said flag member, and said member movementcontrol means includes means for comparing said output signals with saiddata record for controlling movement of said movable member from saidfirst position to said second position.
 3. The system as claimed inclaim 2 wherein said flag member includes regions of different opticalcharacteristics and said flag member sensing means includesphotoelectric means for sensing said regions and producing said outputsignals as a function thereof.
 4. The system as claimed in claim 3wherein said flag member includes a transparent substrate and saidregions are defined by opaque material on said substrate.
 5. The systemas claimed in claim 3 wherein said photoelectric means includes a lightsource, a sensing photocell and a cooperating reference photocell, saidregions of different optical characteristics being interposed betweensaid light source and said sensing photocell and said referencephotocell being disposed for uninterrupted viewing of said light source.6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said member movement controlmeans includes a counter responsive to said quantity signals, and,compare circuitry responsive to said counter and said data record forstopping movement of said movable member upon detection of apredetermined relation between data on said record and said counter. 7.The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said member is movable fromsaid second position beyond said first position to dispense materialfrom said chamber, and further including travel limit structure forgenerating a limit signal when said member has moved a predetermineddistance beyond said first position, and means responsive to said limitsignal to reverse the direction of movement of said member to returnsaid member to said first position.
 8. A dispenser system forintroducing a precise amount of a material to be analyzed into acontainer comprising: a sample chamber, said sample chamber having aport through which material may be introduced into said chamber,apparatus for storing mAterial in said chamber comprising a housingconnected to said sample chamber, a movable member coupled to saidhousing, a drive to move said movable member relative to said chamberfrom a first position to a second position to introduce material intosaid chamber through said port, a flag member having a series of regionsof alternating optical characteristics, photoelectric means for sensingsaid regions, means to produce relative movement of said flag member andsaid photoelectric means as a function of movement of said movablemember, a counter, means coupled between said photoelectric means andsaid counter for generating a counter stepping signal on each sensedpredetermined optical value at the transition between adjacent ones ofsaid regions, a data record reader for generating data signals as afunction of data on a data record sensed by said data record reader,compare circuitry responsive to said counter and data signals generatedby said data record reader for stopping movement of said member upondetection of a predetermined relation between said data signals and saidcounter to store a precise amount of material in said chamber, and meansto transfer said precise amount of material from said chamber to saidcontainer for analysis.
 9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein saidflag member includes a transparent substrate, said regions are definedby opaque material on said substrate and said photoelectric meansincludes a light source, a sensing photocell and a cooperating referencephotocell, said opaque material being interposed between said lightsource and said sensing photocell and said reference photocell beingdisposed for uninterrupted viewing of said light source.
 10. The systemas claimed in claim 8 wherein said drive is reversible, and furtherincluding actuator means to control said drive, and inhibit means fordisabling said actuator means when said movable member is moving fromsaid first position toward a second position.
 11. The system as claimedin claim 10 wherein said drive is an electric motor and furtherincluding synchronizing control coupled to said actuator means toenergize electric motor in synchronism with the zero crossings of thealternating current power for said motor.
 12. The system as claimed inclaim 11 wherein said housing has a bore in it and said movable memberis mounted in said bore for reciprocating movement.
 13. The system asclaimed in claim 8 wherein said counter is responsive to said signalsfrom said sensing and reference photocells, said flag member furtherincludes upper and lower travel limit portions and further including alimit sensor for sensing said travel limit portions, and meansresponsive to detection of one of said travel limit portions by saidlimit sensor to automatically change the direction of movement of saidmovable member.
 14. The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein saidmaterial transfer means includes a blower, means to connect said blowerto said chamber, and means responsive to detection by said limit sensorof a second travel limit portion to actuate said blower for aperdetermined interval of time and then to reverse the direction ofmovement of said movable member to return said movable member to saidfirst position.